Dispenser switch control mechanism



Aug. 8, 1961 H. E. RITTENHOUSE DISPENSER SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 1 243 L/JJ J hf LL IN VEN TOR.

Howard E. Kztlcnhousc ,167 lwmdww ATTORNEY Aug. 8, 1961 H. E. RITTENHOUSE 2,995,275

I DISPENSER SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Howard 5. RL' Ztcnhousc WWKf/QWM ATTORNEY Aug. 1951 H. E. RITTENHOUSE 2,995,276

DISPENSER SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 NMII k INVENTOR.

Howard E. R1, Henhousc Aug. 8, 1961 H. E. RITTENHOUSE DISPENSER SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Hhliiiiu Ill INVENTOR. Howard E Rittcnhousc ATTORNEY Aug. 8, 1961 Original Filed April 9,

H E. RlTTENHOUSE DISPENSER SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 41 IN VEN TOR.

85 Y I 1 123 I 1 69-- 1za---I 125 y] 121 g 113 95 a knJ Howard E. Rilftenhouse mm/KW A 'TTORNEY Aug. 8, 1961 H. E. RITTENHOUSE 2,995,276

DISPENSER SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Howard E. Rilitenhousc ATTORNEY United States Patent Oice 2,995,276 DISPENSER-SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM Howard E. Rittenhouse, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Tokhelm Corporation, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corpora- 7 tion of Indiana 7 Original application Apr. 9, 1956, Ser. No. 576,842, now Patent No. 2,958,291, dated Nov. 1, 1960. Divided and this application Oct. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 766,641

.1 Claim. '(Cl. 222-75) This inventionrelates to a compact, liquid dispenser.

-More specifically it relates to a liquid dispenser which is especially adapted for use in dispensing fuels for farm use. It is usable either in connection with an under- .ground tank or directly upon the usual steel barrel.

This application is a division of my application serial number 576,842, filed April 9, 1956, now Patent No. 2,958,291, issued November 1, 1960, for Compact Liquid Dispenser.

It is an object of the invention to produce a dispenser of the kind described which is compact and economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure which is long lived and of rugged construction.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simplified switch control and nozzle support.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel hose support and hose arrangement which will enable a relatively long hose to be supported on a relatively low structure.

These and other-objects will become apparent after a study of this specification and the drawings which are attached hereto, made a part hereof and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the dispenser with parts shown in section FIGURE 2 is 'a sectional view of the lower portion of the dispenser taken substantially on the line 2--2 of :FIGURE 4 FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the device of FIGURE 1 with parts shown in section to expose the switch mechanism FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the dispenser viewedfrom the left of FIGURE 2 and par tially sectionedto show the-check valve.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the dispenser taken substantially on line 5-5 ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the dispenser.

FIGURE 7 is a detailed view of the nozzle support and switch actuator FIGURE 8 is .a front elevation'of the dispenser showing the stored arrangement of the hose on the dispenser.

General structure Referring first to FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 4, the numeral '1 represents a supporting pipe which may be screwed into a suitable fitting "at the top of an underground tank, in a suitable base or which may be set in a cement slab (not shown). An air vent and screen coupling 3 is screwed on the upper end of the pipe and is adapted to receive the threaded boss 5 on the manifold casting 7 which forms a part of the dispenser. The thread on the boss is preferably a straight thread and a wing nut 9 is mounted thereon to act as a jam nut for holding the boss against rotation in the coupling after the dispenser has been rotated to face in the desired direction.

The vent ports 11 in the coupling are shielded by the conical flange or "shield 13 and a cylindrical screen 15 is inserted in a recess 16 formed the coupling, in a position to cover the ports. Grooves 17 are formed in the coupling to form seats for the screen which is held expanded and in position by the snap rings 19. The ends of the screen abut the ends-of the recess.

The flange or shiel'd '13 prevents the direct entrance of water, ice and snow into the pipe 1 and the associated tank while the screen prevents the entrance of dirt, insects and other foreign objects while permitting the entrance 'of air to replace the liquid withdrawn by the pump or the discharge of air while the tank is being filled.

Boss 5 is also internally threaded at 21 to receive the suction pipe 23 the lower end of which may be provided with a foot valve of any suitable type (not shown). It should also be noted at this point that the pipe 1 and coupling 3 may be omitted and that the boss 5 carrying pipe 23, may be screwed directly into the bung of a steel barrel containing the fuel.

Pump, motor and manifold structure The manifold 7 defines an inlet chamber 25 which communicates with the suction pipe and with a check valve chamber 27 through the channel 29 (see also FIG- URE '5'). A check valve assembly 31 of any suitable design is mounted in the chamber to prevent drainage of liquid from the dispenser.

The check valve assembly comprises a seat 30, a spider guide 32, a hollow valve stem 34 which is reciprocably mounted in the guide and carries a poppet type valve 36 at its upper end and a spring seat 38 at the other. A compression spring 40 is confined between the seat and guide.

A tire valve 42 is mounted in the stem and serves as a relief valve.

Afiange 46 on casting 7 extends radially into the chamber 27 and the O-ring 44 rests against the lower side of the flange. The flanges 50 and'52of the valve seat and guide contact the other side-of the O-ring and acylindrical sleeve 54 having a number of ports 56 rides on the bottom face of the flange 50. The sleeve is guided in a bore 58 "in the manifold and a cover plate 60' which is sealing ly held on the manifold by screws 62 moves the sleeve, guide and seat upwardly as the screws are drawn up, to compress the gasket and seal the jointat the flange 46 From the check valve chamber the liquid passes through a strainer chamber 51 into a suction chamber 53. One end ;wall of the strainer chamber is formed with a recess 55 adjacent the check valve chamber. A bore '57 which leads to the'exterior'of the manifold is disposed 'at the other end of the chamber. A counterbore 59 receives an O-ring gasket 61 which seals between the manifold and a'cover plate 63. The plate is held on the manitold by suitable screws 65 which serve to compress the gasket.

The strainer comprises a pair of concentric cylindrical screens 67, 69 which have their ends disposed in U-shaped grooves '71 in the heads which are held compressed-on the ends of the screens by a tie rod 77. Ports 79 are formed in the heads to pass liquid to the interior of the inner screen 67. Screen 69 may be of finer mesh than screen 67 if desired or either screen may be used alone.

The peripheral portions of the heads 75 fit closely in the recess 55 and bore 57 to prevent liquid from by-passing the strainer. The straineris removable as a unit through the bore 57 when the plate 63 has been removed andthe strainer is readily taken apart for cleaning or replacement of the screens by merely removing a nut from one end-of the tie rod.

By-pass valve structure As shown particularly in FIGURE 5, the suction chamber 53 has a first opening 81 and a second opening "83 which pass through the wall of the manifold which is also provided with a valve port 85, surrounded by a seat 87, disposed immediately adjacent83, to serve as the inlet to the discharge chamber 89.

A cover 91 is fixed to the exterior of the manifold so as to overlie the openings 81, 83 and 85. A diaphragm member 93 is clamped to the manifold by the cover.

The cover has partition means 95 which, with the cover defines chambers 99 and 101 and which in effect outline two diaphragms 103 and 105 on the member 93.

A tubular valve 107 is passed through an opening in diaphragm 103 and is clamped thereto by the washers 109 and nut 111. The left end 112 of the valve (FIG. seats in a recess 113 in the cover. The valve has a central bore 115 which connects the suction chamber 53 in communication with a branch 117 of chamber 101 when the diaphragm 103 is moved to the right to open the valve. A compression spring 119 is supported at one end on the projection 121 in chamber 53 and at the other end on a washer 109 and serves to urge the valve closed.

A valve disc 123 together with suitable discs 125 are mounted on the diaphragm 105 with disc 123 in a position to sealingly engage seat 87 to close port 85. A compression spring 127 seats on the cover and on one disc 125 to urge the valve 123 toward its seat 87.

A channel 129, shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 5, connects the discharge chamber 89 with the chamber 99. The opening 133 in the wall of this chamber is slightly larger than the exterior of the valve 107 so that a restricted passage is formed between the valve and the opening 133 which connects chamber 99 in communication with the branch 117 of chamber 101.

As shown in FIGURE 2, chamber 53 is connected by a channel 135 to the suction chamber of the pump 139 while a channel 141 connects the discharge chamber of the pump with the discharge chamber 89.

The valves and diaphragms are shown in their normal positions in FIGURE 5, that is, they are shown in the positions they occupy when the pump 139 is idle or delivering liquid through the nozzle at substantially near the maximum rate. When the flow is materially throttled, the pump will tend to deliver the same quantity of liquid per revolution and pressure in the discharge chamber 89 will rise. If no by-pass were provided, the pump and motor would eventually stall and the motor would heat and possibly burn out.

In the disclosed structure, the pressure in chamber 89 is transmitted through channel 129 to chamber 99 and through the restricted passage 133, branch 117 to chamber 101. Thus under normal pressure conditions the pressure across diaphragm 105 is balanced. However, when the pressure in chamber 89 is sufficient to displace diaphragm 103 against the resistance of spring 119, the valve 112 moves away from its seat in recess 113 so that the chamber 101 is connected in communication with the suction chamber 53 through branch 117 and bore 115 of the valve. The pressure in chamber 89 now being substantially greater than that in chamber 101, the spring 127 will be overcome and valve 123 will leave seat 87 so that liquid may now circulate from the discharge chamber 89 through ports 85, 83, chamber 53, suction channel 135, pump 139, and discharge channel 141 to chamber 89.

Since the opening of valve 123 exposes a considerably greater area of diaphragm 105 to the pressure from chamber 89, the valve, once it opens, will remain open without fluttering until the pressure condition in chamber 89 drops to a value which can be overcome by spring 119. When this occurs the pressures in chambers 101 and 89 again equalize and spring 127 will close the valve. Since the effective area of the valve 123 now exposed to the pressure in chamber 89 is small, the valve will have no tendency to flutter. It will stay definitely closed.

It has been found by test that the by-pass wattage of the motor is substantially less than the normal operating wattage. The valve is substantially noiseless and is .positive in operation.

Pump and motor The pump 139 may be of any desirable positive displacement type. The pump shown in the drawings is an internal gear type comprising the pump body 151, a port plate 153 which is contained Within the body, rests on the manifold 7 and is pinned thereto by pin 155. The plate 153 has the ports and 141, noted above, formed therein. It is also provided with an eccentrically disposed spindle 157 which rotatably carries the internal pinion 159 of the pump. Further it is also provided with an upwardly directed crescent shaped projection 161 which extends into the clearance space between the pinion 159 and the external gear 163 which is mounted on the shaft 165 of the electric motor 167.

A rotary seal 169 of any desired style may be disposed between the gear and the end bell 171 of the motor. The pump body is fastened to the manifold and motor by suitable screws 173, 175. A drain passage 177 is provided in the end bell and communicates with the rotary seal at one end and is open to atmosphere at the other to permit the escape of any liquid which passes the seal. A slinger ring 179 is provided on the shaft for throwing liquid therefrom. These devices are used to prevent liquid from getting into the motor.

Discharge structure -As shown in FIGURES 2 and 5, the manifold 7 is provided with an upwardly directed outlet 181 from the discharge chamber 89 which is threaded to receive the discharge pipe 183 which has its upper end screwed into the inlet connection 185 of a meter 187 of any desired type. The meter outlet 189 contains a nipple 190 which screws into an outlet and hose supporting fitting 191. The fitting is tapped at 193 to receive the coupling 195 of a hose 197. (FIGURES 1 and 3.)

The discharge fitting 191 is provided at its upper side with a cradle 199 to retain a bight of the hose 197. As seen in FIGURE 3, the walls of the cradle are curved to conform to the periphery of the hose and also curved longitudinally as shown at 201 in FIGURE 1 to conform somewhat to the curvature of the bight of the hose.

The meter 187 is preferably provided with a register 200 having a graduated dial 203 and fast and slow indicators 205, 207 which are resettable by the knob 209 which extends through the dial glass 211.

The free end of the hose 197 is provided with a valved nozzle 213 as shown particularly in FIGURE 7. The stem 215 of the valve is actuated by a trigger 217 which is pivotally mounted at 219 on the guard 221. The nozzle includes a spout 223 which is adapted to enter a boot 225 which is fixed to the end of a rock shaft 227.

The nozzle is provided with a hook 229 which is adapted to be inserted through an opening 231 formed in the upper, projecting portion 233 of the boot and to engage said projecting portion to support the nozzle.

The shaft 227 (FIG. 1) is rotatably mounted in a suitable boss 235 of the switch box 237 which is supported on the upper end bell 239 of the motor 167 by the bolts 230 and nuts 232 as shown in FIGURE 3. A washer 241 and a pair of curved or hook levers 243, 245 are fixed to the end of shaft 227 by a screw 247. This structure holds the shaft in place in the boss.

The switch box is provided, on the side adjacent the boot with a pair of stops 249, 251. The lugs merge into a projection 253 which is perforated at 255 to receive the bolt of a padlock 263.

A stop lug 257 is formed on the boot in a position to be moved into contact with the lugs 249, 251 as the boot pivots with the rock shaft and thus limits the pivotal motion of the boot.

A locking lug 259 extends upwardly from the boot, parallel to the lug 253 and is perforated at 261. The holes 255, 261 are aligned when the stop 257 is in contact with the stop 251. The lock 263 is received in the holes to lock the boot in the described position.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 3, a double pole single throw switch mechanism 265 is mounted in the switch box. The switch actuator 267 when moved to the right in FIGURE 2 opens the switch and closes it when moved to the left.

The switch actuator is moved to the right by lever 243 when the shaft 247 is rotated clockwise (FIGURE 3) and to the left by the lever 245 when the shaft is rocked counterclockwise.

A terminal strip 269 is mounted in the switch box for convenience in wiring the switch to the main line. The terminal 279 is connected by wire 281 to one blade 275 of the switch 277 while the other terminal 271 is connected by wire 273 to blade 283 of the other switch 284. Wires 285 and 237 connect the other blades 289, 291 of the switches 2'77 and 284 to the motor 167.

The switch box is provided with an outlet 293 which is adapted to receive a conduit 295 for the power line not shown.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the switch box is provided with a removable cover 297 which is held in sealing relation on the box by screws 299. Access is thus provided to the interior of the box to facilitate the connecting of the power line to the terminal block.

Operation Assuming that the pump has been connected with a suitable liquid supply either directly to a suction pipe at the boss 5 or to a supporting pipe such as 1 with the suction pipe 23 immersed in the liquid to be pumped, the operator will first reset the register 200 to zero by rotating knob 209 in the proper direction. He will then grasp the nozzle 213 and disengage hook 229 from the boot 225 by tilting the nozzle slightly in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 7) and moving it to the left. When the nozzle is free from the boot he may rotate boot 225 counterclockwise to close the motor switch 265, which closure is effected by the rotation of shaft 227 and arm 245 with the boot. Stops 249, 257 limit the rotation of the boot to prevent damage to the switch. The boot and switch are held in the positions described by the weight of the closed end of the boot.

It should be noted that the removal of the nozzle and the rotation of the boot may be accomplished simultaneously with one hand if desired.

The pump being driven by the motor draiws liquid up through the suction pipe, through the check valve 31, strainer 67, 69 and chamber 53 into the pump 139. The pump then discharges the liquid, under pressure, through chamber 89, pipe 183, connection 185, meter 187, conduits .189, 190, 193 and hose 197 to the nozzle 213. Since the nozzle valve is usually closed for the period required by the operator to reach the duel tank, the pressure in chamber 89 will reach a maximum so that the by-pass valve will open to prevent stalling of the motor.

As described above, the discharge pressure will be transmitted to diaphragm 103 by duct 129 and will depress valve 107 against the action of spring .119. This vents chamber 101 to the suction chamber 53 so that the pressure in chamber 89 may overcome spring 127 and valve 123 will open the bypass port 85 and allow liquid to circulate to the suction chamber 53 and the pump.

When the nozzle valve is opened, liquid will be discharged to the container and the pressure in chamber 89 will drop. This pressure being insuflioient to overcome spring 119, the pilot valve 107 will be closed. The pressure in chamber 101 will become equal to that in chamber 89 by the leakage through clearance 107-133. Spring 127 and diaphragm will now overcome the pressure in chamber 89 and close valve 123.

It will be understood that as the nozzle valve is throttled the pressure in chamber 89 will build up and when the by-pass pressure is reached the bypass valve will reopen a distance sufiicient to prevent the motor from stalling.

In the structure shown in the drawings, the liquid is displaced from the tank by air which enters the ports 11 of coupling 3 and passes between the pipes 1 and 2'3 to the tank. Incoming air is filtered by the screen 15 and entrance of water, snow, etc., through the ports 11 is prevented by the conical shield 13.

When the dispensing operation is completed, the nozzle is inserted in the boot and hook 229 is engaged with the boot. The weight of the nozzle will rotate the boot, shaft 227 and arm r243 clockwise (FIGURES 3 and 7) and open switch 265 to stop the pump motor. The rotation of the boot is limited by contact of stops 251 and 257.

It should be noted that the boot may be manually rotated to the switch-off position and the nozzle may be inserted thereafter.

Further, as shown in FIGURE 8, the hose is draped down from the outlet connection 193 in a loop, is carried over the cradle 199, thence down in another loop to the nozzle boot. A long hose may thus be used with the apparatus and may be stored out of contact with the ground.

The quantity of liquid dispensed is indicated on the register at the completion of the operation.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts of the specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to such specific embodiments but desires protection falling fairly within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A dispensing apparatus including a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, a switch, a rock shaft, means on said shaft for opening and closing the switch when the shaft is rocked in opposite directions, a nozzle boot fixed to the shaft for rocking it, said rock shaft being disposed substantially horizontally and said boot being disposed substantially transversely of the shaft in such a manner that the weight of the boot will hold the rock shaft in the switch closed position, whereas the weight of a nozzle in the boot and the attached hose will urge the rock shaft to switch opening position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,798,805 Peter Mar. 31, 1931 1,827,355 Farr Oct. 13, 1931 1,957,398 Wallace May 1, 1934 2,026,959 Bradley Jan. 7, 1936 2,182,766 Sturm et al Dec. 5, 1939 2,322,966 Oberly June 29, 1943 2,699,884 Foss et a1. Jan. 18, 1955 

